May 1st - New Orleans Pelicans @ Minnesota Timberwolves - 28-35

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Originally Posted by JJackisangry

This is mainly why I’m against making play-ins at this point. It is absolutely clear what we lack (and have been lacking for most of the season). Get the best 3&D-wing/combo-forward you can find in the draft and find a good short term signing or two that can bring the spacing we desperately need next to B and Z. Just bring in actual shooters. Not the “might be okay someday” guys. We have enough potential.

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Agreed.

Another missed free throw. Geez.

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

But haven’t we heard this so many times before? In time? I am not trying to argue with you, but when does “ in time” turn into “time is now”?

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This rebuild is less than 2 years old.

I get the frustration because to fans, it feels like it's been forever, but this actual rebuild, with this owner and this GM and this POBO and this superstar, is less than 2 years old.

My personal view is that we should be a real playoff team next year. Doesn't have to be a top 4 seed, but we should be legitimately in the running for a real playoff spot, not crying and scraping for the 10th seed. That will be Zion and Jax's 3rd year, Ingram's 3rd year with the team, and the first season where SVG gets a real training camp, and hopefully some roster upgrades.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

This rebuild is less than 2 years old.

I get the frustration because to fans, it feels like it's been forever, but this actual rebuild, with this owner and this GM and this POBO and this superstar, is less than 2 years old.

My personal view is that we should be a real playoff team next year. Doesn't have to be a top 4 seed, but we should be legitimately in the running for a real playoff spot, not crying and scraping for the 10th seed. That will be Zion and Jax's 3rd year, Ingram's 3rd year with the team, and the first season where SVG gets a real training camp, and hopefully some roster upgrades.

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Fair enough.

Zion bucket makes it a 1 possession game

Bad defense by BI.

Edit-do you think Steph Curry is licking his lips for Monday and Tuesday?

Zion with another bucket ties it

Billy makes a shot, feels like his first of the night, ties it again

This team is one legit closer away from being a consistent playoff team.

And we go to OT.

Of course we do.

When is BI going to become consistent

Overtime starts with an assist by Zion and then a bucket by Zion

Zion with another set of FTs, makes both

Zion gets another bucket to fall

KAT has fouled out. Time to take advantage.

Zion going all 80s action hero mode

And the FT

Of course, I finally get on the tanking train, then this happens? Maybe it’s me? Ha

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

Funny thing is getting a high draft pick this year fixes all of this?

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I think this is what frustrates so many of us. In the 15 drafts between 2005 and 2019, the Pels won the lottery twice. They drafted CP3, AD, and Zion. How many other teams have drafted THREE team centerpieces in the past 17 years and only have 5 playoff appearances to show for it? And only one finish higher than 6th seed.

What a tank job by Minny here

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Originally Posted by RobertM320

I think this is what frustrates so many of us. In the 15 drafts between 2005 and 2019, the Pels won the lottery twice. They drafted CP3, AD, and Zion. How many other teams have drafted THREE team centerpieces in the past 17 years and only have 5 playoff appearances to show for it? And only one finish higher than 6th seed.

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Exactly what I am thinking also. But I can see Dae and others thoughts on talent acquisition.

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

Of course, I finally get on the tanking train, then this happens? Maybe it’s me? Ha

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We're winning but I'm feeling a little

https://i.imgur.com/BUKhNDv.png

Lonzo gets FTs, makes some

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

Exactly what I am thinking also. But I can see Dae and others thoughts on talent acquisition.

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It's a necessary/sufficient issue. Talent is necessary, but not sufficient; you need luck, chemistry, health, etc to help. But the first step is getting the talent: nothing can substitute for that.

MORE missed ft.....

Tonight is Lonzo's first ever 30 point game, he has 31

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

It's a necessary/sufficient issue. Talent is necessary, but not sufficient; you need luck, chemistry, health, etc to help. But the first step is getting the talent: nothing can substitute for that.

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Understood. We are in a weird spot where we could have a better record if we didn’t play stupidly, but we do need much more shooting and defense.

I am afraid we are going to overpay Lonzo.

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

I am afraid we are going to overpay Lonzo.

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A perfectly justifiable worry imo

Endgame, Pels win in OT.

Zion finishes with 37/9/8/1/2 on 82.4%FG
Lonzo adds 33/11/9/3/0 on 47.6%FG (8/17 from 3)

Ingram had a rough night shooting, finishing with 14 points on 4/17

I have never seen anyone as efficient as Zion.

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

I am afraid we are going to overpay Lonzo.

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We know Lonzo. He'll go 5 - 20 in an important game to remind them not to.

Probably these next 2 games of disappointment on the way.

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Originally Posted by luckyman

We know Lonzo. He'll go 5 - 20 in an important game to remind them not to.

Probably these next 2 games of disappointment on the way.

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Ha. Probably.

Zion Williamson tonight:

37 PTS
9 REB
8 AST
14-17 FG

He joins Nikola Jokic as the only players to drop 35/8/8 on 80% shooting in the last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/38OfMlRxrF

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 2, 2021

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

I am afraid we are going to overpay Lonzo.

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He'll put a stack of points up at he beginning of the game to pad his box score stats

But he's terrible in the clutch and would only get worse in the pressure of the playoffs

Players to record 10+ games with 30 PPG on 70 FG% in a season since 1983:

— Shaquille O’Neal
— Charles Barkley
— Karl Malone
— Kevin McHale
— Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/LbeXkKputi

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 2, 2021

But I won't rain on this parade. Great game from Lonzo in a gritty effort to close this one out. Especially on a night where BI can't throw it in the ocean. Too many jump shots. Too many TOs from Zion. Once again, too many missed FTs.

And they still pulled it out. Great win.

Agreed. I didn’t think they had this in them.

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Players to record 10+ games with 30 PPG on 70 FG% in a season since 1983:

— Shaquille O’Neal
— Charles Barkley
— Karl Malone
— Kevin McHale
— Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/LbeXkKputi

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 2, 2021

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They need to hire a new artist

That looks like Carlton from Fresh Prince of Bel Air

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Originally Posted by AusPel

He'll put a stack of points up at he beginning of the game to pad his box score stats

But he's terrible in the clutch and would only get worse in the pressure of the playoffs

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He also tends to get shy after he's played well. By which I mean, it's not uncommon for him to have a good first half where he'll shoot well from the floor and then in the second half completely disappear. It almost looks like he's trying to protect his numbers, like he's going ''I shot 5/8 from 3 in the first half so I'll just not shoot anymore cause 5/8 for a game looks good''.

Not saying he does think that, but it looks that way a lot.

7 turn overs for Zion. Ouch.

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Originally Posted by Chavan30

7 turn overs for Zion. Ouch.

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Yep, career high TOs for him. 7 missed FTs too.

Fantastic game for him overall but clear areas to improve.

Good night guys, I’ll be black ranting Monday.

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Originally Posted by 6warddude

well i guess we will do the reverse thing and beat them since we are short handed/injure lol....

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pelicans lol...

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Originally Posted by Pelicanidae

Tonight is Lonzo's first ever 30 point game, he has 31

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

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Cut him now for that video alone.

Really trash win to be frank. Im kind of done praising this team for beating trash cans with their obsession with mediocrity. Players will improve is a given, but we won't see the fruits of their labor in their prime.

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Originally Posted by ragincaucasian

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Cringe level over 9000

Great game and BIG win guys! Now let's see what happend... :2thumb2:

The Lonzo hate is so dumb at this point. He works really well with Zion and Ingram. I wouldn't max him but anything upto 20mil offer I'd match. We really just need one more guy that can corner 3 as a 5 then use them with Zion/BI/Lonzo and whoever is hot between Kira and NAW and we would be able to close games a lot better.

I really like Naz Reid personally.